During moxibustion, a trained therapist burns an herb to apply heat close to the skin at specific points, which can lead to improvements in several common side effects of cancer treatments.
We summarize the clinical evidence for each medical benefit here. We begin with our assessment of the strength of evidence within each category, followed by a brief summary of individual studies or reviews of several studies. In assessing the strength of evidence, we consider the study design, number of participants, and the size of the treatment effect (how much outcomes changed with treatment).To see more details, click the plus sign to the right of any section.
Preclinical evidence is summarized in Are you a health professional? ›
Optimizing your body terrain
Does moxibustion promote an environment within your body that is less supportive of cancer development, growth, or spread? We present the evidence.
See Optimizing Your Body Terrain ›
Find medical professionals who specialize in managing body terrain factors: Finding Integrative Oncologists and Other Practitioners ›
We also recommend that you share with your doctor the information here about how moxibustion might affect these terrain factors if you have any imbalances.
Immune function Increased immune system activation is not always beneficial, so your oncology team needs to determine whether immune activation would be favorable in your situation.Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of higher markers of immune activation among people with cancer and people with other health conditions treated with moxibustion
Inflammation Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of lower inflammation among people with colorectal cancer or COVID-19 treated with moxibustion
Your microbiome Preliminary evidence of better intestinal bacteria after colorectal resection surgery among people treated with warm-needle moxibustion stimulation
Managing side effects and promoting wellness
Is moxibustion linked to fewer or less severe side effects or symptoms? Is it linked to less toxicity from cancer treatment? Does it support your quality of life or promote general well-being? We present the evidence.
Anxiety Preliminary evidencesignificant effects in small or poorly designed clinical studies OR conflicting results in adequate studies but a preponderance of evidence of an effect (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of less anxiety among people with cancer pain treated with acupuncture and heat-sensitive moxibustion
Blood-related side effects Modest evidencesignificant effects in at least three small but well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs), or one or more well-designed, mid-sized clinical studies of reasonably good quality (RCTs or observational studies), or several small studies aggregated into a meta-analysis (this is the CancerChoices definition; other researchers and studies may define this differently) of better white blood cell counts during or after conventional cancer treatment among people treated with moxibustionModest evidence of higher serum hemoglobin during or after chemo/radiotherapy among people treated with moxibustionPreliminary evidence of higher platelets during or after chemo/radiotherapy among people with cancer treated with moxibustion compared to no treatment, but no further benefit when added to conventional treatments for platelets
Breathlessness Preliminary evidence of less breathlessness (dyspnea) among people with advanced cancer treated with moxibustion
Changes in appetite Preliminary evidence of better appetite among people with advanced cancer treated with moxibustion
Fatigue Modest evidence of less cancer-related fatigue among people treated with moxibustion
Gastrointestinal symptoms Modest evidence of less nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea during or after conventional cancer treatments among people with cancer treated with moxibustion
Pain Preliminary evidence of less pain and soreness among people with cancer treated with moxibustion
Quality of life and physical function Modest evidence of better quality of life among people with cancer as a whole treated with moxibustionPreliminary evidence of less weakness among people with advanced cancer treated with moxibustion
Other side effects and symptoms Preliminary evidence of shorter hospital stays after surgery for colorectal cancer among people treated with acupuncture and moxibustion
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Authors
Nancy Hepp, MS
Lead Researcher
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Ms. Hepp is a researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. She serves as lead researcher and writer for CancerChoices and also served as the first program manager. Her graduate work in research and cognitive psychology, her master’s degree in instructional design, and her certificate in web design have all guided her in writing and presenting information for a wide variety of audiences and uses. Nancy’s service as faculty development coordinator in the Department of Family Medicine at Wright State University also provided experience in medical research, plus insights into medical education and medical care from the professional’s perspective.
Nancy Hepp, MSLead Researcher
Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNS
Senior Clinical Consultant
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Laura Pole is senior clinical consultant for CancerChoices. Laura is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation, and education services for over 40 years. She is the co-creator and co-coordinator of the Integrative Oncology Navigation Training at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC. Laura also manages the “Media Watch Cancer News That You Can Use” listserv for Smith Center/Commonweal. In her role as a palliative care educator and consultant, Laura has served as statewide Respecting Choices Faculty for the Virginia POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment) Collaborative as well as provided statewide professional education on palliative and end-of-life care for the Virginia Association for Hospices and Palliative Care.
For CancerChoices, Laura curates content and research, networks with clinical and organizational partners, brings awareness and education of integrative oncology at professional and patient conferences and programs, and translates research into information relevant to the patient experience as well as clinical practice.
Laura sees her work with CancerChoices as a perfect alignment of all her passions, knowledge and skills in integrative oncology care. She is honored to serve you.
Laura Pole, MSN, RN, OCNSSenior Clinical Consultant
Reviewer
Emily Ryan, ND, MSOM, LAc
Research Associate
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Dr. Ryan served as a research associate for CancerChoices. She is a licensed and board certified naturopathic physician and acupuncturist in Oregon. Dr. Ryan is the founder of Gentle Natural Wellness, a clinic specializing in bridging classical Chinese medicine with naturopathic medicine to provide individualized, compassionate care for people in the community. A Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Oriental Medicine with honors from the National University of Natural Medicine, research in medical anthropology at the University of Hawai’i and George Mason University, language and culture programs at Obirin University (Tokyo) and Sogang University (Seoul), and studies of Chinese herbal medicine and qigong in China have provided a diverse background that has helped form a foundation for her community health and healing path.
Emily Ryan, ND, MSOM, LAcResearch Associate
Last update:May 28, 2024
Last full literature review: September 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
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